Bay Area Geek Guide

Enjoy the many geek-related things, from 'Star Wars' lightsaber classes to loungey comic book stores, the Bay Area has to offer.

By Ernesto Rivera, SFGate.com

on July 23, 2014 3:00 AM

Photo: Borderland Books

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Alameda's Pacific Pinball Museum. This pinball paradise is home to more than 85 machines in six different rooms. The museum prides itself on preserving one of America’s greatest pastimes with vintage pinball machines from the early ‘30s and ‘40s, ‘90s classics like The Simpsons and Addams Family and modern machines like Indiana Jones. No need to count your quarters here — $15 gets you unlimited play for the whole day. The Pacific Pinball Museum is located at 1510 Webster St., Alameda. less

Alameda's Pacific Pinball Museum. This pinball paradise is home to more than 85 machines in six different rooms. The museum prides itself on preserving one of America’s greatest pastimes with vintage pinball ... more

Isotope — The Comic Book Lounge. This is not your stereotypical comic book store. Isotope is a mix of store, lounge, art gallery and creative space. The knowledgeable people at Isotope can provide you with any title from the Big Two (DC and Marvel), and they can also give cool, quirky recommendations from independent, small press and self-published creators. The store regularly holds signings from some of the most popular creators in the industry. Don’t feel intimidated walking into Isotope, this shop caters to all types customers, from a 40-year collector to a curious passerby. Isotope is located at 326 Fell St., S.F. less

Isotope — The Comic Book Lounge. This is not your stereotypical comic book store. Isotope is a mix of store, lounge, art gallery and creative space. The knowledgeable people at Isotope can provide you with ... more

Isotope — The Comic Book Lounge. This is not your stereotypical... Photo-6603591.89629 - SFGate

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Golden Gate Knights. Who didn’t immediately pick up a broomstick after the Obi-Wan and Darth Vader lightsaber duel in “Star Wars”? At Golden Gate Knights, you can put the broomstick down and learn techniques and choreography using "real" lightsabers. Every Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., the Golden Gate Knights hold classes that teach padawans lightsaber spins, figure eights and stage techniques. And no, you’re never too old to begin the training. less

Golden Gate Knights. Who didn’t immediately pick up a broomstick after the Obi-Wan and Darth Vader lightsaber duel in “Star Wars”? At Golden Gate Knights, you can put the broomstick down and learn ... more

S.F. and East Bay Nerd Nite. A bunch of nerds walking into a bar may sound like the beginning of a bad joke, but it isn’t. It’s the exact premise for the monthly lecture-in-a-bar series in San Francisco and the East Bay. The people at Nerd Nite get smart, interesting people, give them free drinks, then put them on stage to give lectures. Nerd Nite is held in more than 75 cities in which several people give fun-yet-informative lectures while the audience drinks along. Previous lectures in San Francisco have included ghost sign history lessons, how culture affects social media and climate change. For more information visit http://sf.nerdnite.com/ and http://eastbay.nerdnite.com/. less

S.F. and East Bay Nerd Nite. A bunch of nerds walking into a bar may sound like the beginning of a bad joke, but it isn’t. It’s the exact premise for the monthly lecture-in-a-bar series in San Francisco and ... more

S.F. and East Bay Nerd Nite. A bunch of nerds walking into a bar... Photo-6603612.89629 - SFGate

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Musée Mécanique. A nostalgic look down memory lane, this museum has more than 200 coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines. The privately owned collection is one of the largest in the world with more than 200 playable machines. Popular items include "Laffing Sal," "Susie the Can-Can Dancer" and the one-and-only “Steam Powered Motorcycle.” Musée Mécanique is located at Pier 45 in S.F. less

Musée Mécanique. A nostalgic look down memory lane, this museum has more than 200 coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines. The privately owned collection is one of the largest ... more

Gamescape. This game shop provides everything from classic board games to modern role playing games to collectible card games. The helpful staff will give you the best recommendations to help you filter the store’s huge selection. Pull up a chair and join one of their themed game nights that includes board games, Magic the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons. Gamescape is located at 333 Divisadero St., S.F. less

Gamescape. This game shop provides everything from classic board games to modern role playing games to collectible card games. The helpful staff will give you the best recommendations to help you filter the ... more

Alternative Press Expo. If conventions are your thing, then grab your tickets to the Alternative Press Expo (more commonly referred to as APE) for Oct. 4 and 5. This yearly San Francisco event focuses on independent publishers and alternative creators and is put on by the same organization that throws the massive San Diego Comic-Con. APE is a much smaller-scale convention than Comic-Con and offers a more personal experience for both creators and readers. You won’t have to stand in line for hours to meet some of the industry’s most innovative writers and cartoonists. Exhibitors and guests include local Bay Area creators, New York Times best sellers and independent publishers. less

Alternative Press Expo. If conventions are your thing, then grab your tickets to the Alternative Press Expo (more commonly referred to as APE) for Oct. 4 and 5. This yearly San Francisco event focuses on ... more

Borderlands Books. You won’t find a single Nicholas Sparks novel here. This independently owned bookstore specializes in sci-fi, fantasy, horror and other geeky fiction. It stocks nearly 30,000 titles with a huge selection of used books. The store regularly holds events including author readings and signings and has a relaxed, delicious cafe. The employees at Borderlands love books and are passionate about the genres the store sells, and they are quick to point you in the right direction or offer a suggestion for your reading list. You won’t leave this story empty handed. Borderland Books is located at 866 Valencia St., S.F. less

Borderlands Books. You won’t find a single Nicholas Sparks novel here. This independently owned bookstore specializes in sci-fi, fantasy, horror and other geeky fiction. It stocks nearly 30,000 titles with a ... more

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This huge research facility is home to “the world’s largest and most energetic laser.” The lab offers two different informative and mind-boggling site tours that include the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center, the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry and a contained firing facility. Advance registration is required. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is located at 7000 East Ave., Livermore. less

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This huge research facility is home to “the world’s largest and most energetic laser.” The lab offers two different informative and mind-boggling site tours that ... more

High Scores Arcade. This retro arcade/museum has more than 350 playable games with classic favorites that include Tron, Pac-Man, Star Wars, Donkey Kong and Street Fighter. The nostalgic wonderland costs $5 for an hour or $10 for an all -day pass. With so many games to choose from, you’re going to want the all-day pass. High Scores Arcade is located at 1414 Park St., Alameda. less

High Scores Arcade. This retro arcade/museum has more than 350 playable games with classic favorites that include Tron, Pac-Man, Star Wars, Donkey Kong and Street Fighter. The nostalgic wonderland costs $5 for ... more

Photo: Ian C. Bates, The Chronicle

High Scores Arcade . This retro arcade/museum has more than 350... Photo-6600197.89629 - SFGate

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Exploratorium. A must visit for people who love all things science and geeky. The Exploratorium’s new, bigger location at Pier 15 makes it so much easier to explore more than 600 creative, hands-on science exhibits. Adventure through the pitch-black Tactile Dome, enter a colorless world or investigate an upside-down world. The Exploratorium is located at Pier 15 in S.F. less

Exploratorium. A must visit for people who love all things science and geeky. The Exploratorium’s new, bigger location at Pier 15 makes it so much easier to explore more than 600 creative, hands-on science ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Exploratorium. A must visit for people who love all things... Photo-6599968.89629 - SFGate

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Super7 Retail Store. This store is a geeky melting pot of toys, magazines, books and apparel. Super7 offers unique and geek-related T-shirts, Japanese-influenced vinyl toys and beautiful art prints and books. The space is small but still packs a punch with rare figures and exclusive items. Super7 is located at 1427 Haight St., S.F. less

Computer History Museum. Take a tour through a 2,000-year history of computers at the Computer History Museum. The museum offers multimedia exhibits that take you through industry game-changers, the roots of the Internet and mobile devices and has more than 1,000 artifacts including some of the very first computers. The Computer History Museum is located at 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. less

Computer History Museum. Take a tour through a 2,000-year history of computers at the Computer History Museum. The museum offers multimedia exhibits that take you through industry game-changers, the roots of ... more

Photo: Craig Lee, SFC

Computer History Museum. Take a tour through a 2,000-year history... Photo-6599106.89629 - SFGate

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Yoda fountain at the Presidio. The life-size, bronze Jedi master stands guard at the Lucasfilm HQ. If you make the visit on a weekday during business hours, you’ll be able to go to the Lucasfilm lobby where there is incredible "Star Wars" memorabilia including a life-size Darth Vader and Boba Fett. While there isn’t much to do besides take pictures, you can enjoy a stroll across the beautiful park and look for the statues of the “Father of Television” and the “Father of Film.” The statue is located at The Presidio, 1 Letterman Dr., S.F. less

Yoda fountain at the Presidio. The life-size, bronze Jedi master stands guard at the Lucasfilm HQ. If you make the visit on a weekday during business hours, you’ll be able to go to the Lucasfilm lobby where ... more